01 June 2012

The land struggles continue....

I've been a horrible blogger... they should give out demerits for such behavior...

Just so the excuses are covered we are in the US fundraising for the family, fundraising for ARCC, switching missions agencies, doctors check-ups, eye appointments.... and I cannot fail to mention having some fun with family and friends...

It has been so nice to be away from the land issues for a season as we are now heading into month 14 of the whole drama... but at the same time it is one of the first questions people ask... so drum roll please... here is the latest...

On the positive -

1) We have an injunction to stop all building developments on the land
2) The court is placing an add in the newspaper demanding that all the squatters appear in court... hopefully soon!
3) We successfully fenced off the section of land that included one of our dormitory buildings and that sliver of land is no longer under dispute. Using our own bricks... and saving thousands of dollars!

But the negative list keeps growing...

1. The squatters have defied the court order and are building again... it may not look like much but with proper motivation builders move fast!

2. The squatters have declared that they are willing to fight and even shed blood over the land... their words not mine...

3. The police are too scared to arrest the squatters so they ask them to stop... then the workers continue when they leave...

4. The court continues to move slow and will not act on their own order to stop all developments

5. The costs of paying for land surveyors, lawyers and security (no bribes!) for this project have now reached over $12,000 which has stretched our operations budget and delayed staff salaries for the first time ever... which is a big weight on the staff and their families and also on me personally as these are staff that I love and care about so much!

In summary:

Pray for a miracle. That the land would be cleared, the squatters would leave, courts and lawyers would do their work without bribes and that it would all be complete BY JULY 15 which is the day that all Uganda courts close for a months vacation.

Thanks for caring... thanks for asking... and most of all thanks for praying!